Michael Voss has stopped short of declaring Carlton a genuine AFL premiership threat but sees no reason his former team can't make a run deep into the finals.
The Blues are riding a wave of momentum under Josh Fraser, who has engineered a remarkable turnaround since taking the coaching reins when Voss stepped down in May.
Fraser has 11 wins and a draw from 14 games at the helm, and the hot streak continued with a come-from-behind victory over Melbourne in last week's wildcard encounter.
The staggering run has optimistic Carlton players and fans daring to dream of a first premiership since 1995, ahead of an elimination final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.
But with another three wins required in sudden-death matches just to reach the grand final, Voss believes a drought-breaking flag is most likely beyond the Blues this year.
"It's very hard, isn't it? Percentages say that's a tough gig," Voss said at the MCG on Monday at a promotion for AFL game ball producer Sherrin.
"But they're certainly playing a high level of football if you look over the course of the last 10 or 11 weeks.
"They're the equal-form team of the competition, so there should be no reason that they can't look at every game and say that it's winnable."
Voss fell on his sword at Carlton after a 1-8 start to the season and is determined to look forward, rather than back at what might have been.
He said Fraser is "doing a great job" as coach and results showed "the right decision has been made" in appointing the former Collingwood ruckman as Blues coach.
Voss lauded skipper Patrick Cripps and other leaders for keeping the playing group united through some difficult times.
"They've clearly done that and more numbers are coming with them, so the heavy lifting isn't just on a few," Voss said.
"You've got a lot of people responding and there's some pretty incredible human beings amongst that group.
"I'm just really pleased that they're getting the rewards that they've obviously been working really hard for."
Voss often lamented the spate of injuries that threw up hurdles in his time as coach, but noted the Blues are "enormously durable now".
"I don't know whether that's been talked about at all, but (performance boss) Rob Inness and (head doctor) Dan James should get a huge pat on the back for how healthy they are and fit they are," Voss said.
"And they're obviously playing a style of football that really stacks up, so credit to the coaches as well, and the direction they've given."
Carlton have won four of their past five meetings with Geelong, with Voss noting extra attention on key Cats duo Tom Stewart and Gryan Miers had served them well.
Cripps has stepped up against Geelong and Voss believes the Blues' work in the contested area of the game will hold them in good stead.
Vice-captain Jacob Weitering is excited and bullish about Carlton's hopes, insisting "anything is possible" in September.
"We're one down against the Dees with four to get, and Geelong pose a massive challenge for us," Weitering said.
"The game's a funny thing when you start to click as a side, not just from a football perspective.
"Obviously wins and all your stats show sides that are doing well, but I think what we're doing off the ball and away from the ball is super at the minute.
"We stayed really connected as a club through a pretty tough period of time ... and yeah, I think anything is possible."
